SMU has a strong research and publication culture. It has been committing its limited resources to research and publication since its establishment in a bid to advance a conducive environment for students, academics, researchers, and practitioners.
Among the different research events it holds are the research conferences it organizes on a regular basis. SMU hosts four conferences annually. These are International Conference on Private Higher Education in Africa, Multi-Disciplinary Seminar, Student Research Forum, and Open and Distance Learning Seminar. Whereas the first conference is international in its nature, the other three are national events.
The International Conference on Higher Education Institutions in Africa is among the prominent annual research events of SMU in which world class scholars and researchers participate. This Conference has been conducted for 20 years without interruption. It has been able to attract researchers and scholars from across the world. Recognizing the quality and relevance of the event, several local and foreign institutions have joined SMU in organizing this annual research Conference since 2010. The Association of African Universities, International Network for Higher Education in Africa (INHEA), University of KwaZulu Natal, African Union Commission, UNESCO, IGAD, and Ethiopian Aviation Academy are few but to mention. The 21st Conference is scheduled to take place in May 2023.
The National Multidisciplinary Seminar (MDS), which brings together scholars and practitioners working in diverse fields to debate on issues covering a wide range of areas, has been organized for 14 continuous years. This event is unique as it serves as a platform for not only scholars and researchers but for practitioners as well to sit together and try to find solutions for identified problems. The 15th Multi-Disciplinary Seminar will be held in a few months in 2023.
The National Student Research Forum provides students with the opportunity to share their Senior Essay results with fellow students, and the SMU community, and demonstrate key 21st Century skills such as presentation, time management, leadership, teamwork, etc. The Forum has been held for the last 16 years in a row. Students who do their undergraduate degrees in different higher learning institutions are invited to present their papers. SMU calls this event “By students for students” because every activity is organized and managed by the students serving as Paper Presenters, Master of the Ceremony, Chairpersons, Rapporteurs, and Conference facilitators. The 17th Forum will be held in August 2023.
The other national research event is known as Open and Distance Learning Seminar. This Seminar focuses on open and distance learning. It has been organized for the last 10 years. SMU is preparing to hold the 11th Seminar in 2023.
In addition to these four conferences, an annual Research Review Session where SMU faculties present proposals for funding is held every year. At the review session, first, reports of researches funded in the previous year are presented and discussed. Second, a jury will evaluate and select from current proposal(s) that meet the University’s criteria for funding. Accordingly, on the basis of the selection committee report, proposals selected for funding will receive financial support from the University, and the reports of these studies get presented at the following year Research Review event. Finally, the refined papers will be published.
SMU documents all research activities and disseminates them to stakeholders in a variety of ways. Findings of the conference papers are published in proceedings.
SMU also publishes three bi-annual journals – Mizan Law Review, Journal of Business and Administrative Studies (JBAS), and Journal of Agriculture and Development Studies (JADS). The first two have already been accredited by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. In a bid to ensure knowledge management, SMU also publishes quarterly newsletters which focus on documenting the different endeavors and engagements of the University, and a bi-annual bulletin entitled “The Teacher”.
All our publications are available at the University’s repository.